Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health
shall spring forth speedily.
Is. lviii. 8.
11. (Paint.) The manner in which the light strikes upon a picture; that
part of a picture which represents those objects upon which the light
is supposed to fall; the more illuminated part of a landscape or other
scene; -- opposed to shade. Cf. Chiaroscuro.
12. Appearance due to the particular facts and circumstances presented
to view; point of view; as, to state things fairly and put them in the
right light.
Frequent consideration of a thing . . . shows it in its several
lights and various ways of appearance.
South.
13. One who is conspicuous or noteworthy; a model or example; as, the
lights of the age or of antiquity.
Joan of Arc, A light of ancient France.
Tennyson.
14. (Pyrotech.) A firework made by filling a case with a substance
which burns brilliantly with a white or colored flame; as, a Bengal
light.
Light is used figuratively to denote that which resembles physical
light in any respect, as illuminating, benefiting, enlightening, or
enlivening mankind.
Ancient lights (Law), Calcium light, Flash light, etc. See under
Ancient, Calcium, etc. -- Light ball (Mil.), a ball of combustible
materials, used to afford light; -- sometimes made so as to be fired
from a cannon or mortar, or to be carried up by a rocket. -- Light
barrel (Mil.), an empty powder barrel pierced with holes and filled
with shavings soaked in pitch, used to light up a ditch or a breach. --
Light dues (Com.), tolls levied on ships navigating certain waters, for
the maintenance of lighthouses. - - Light iron, a candlestick. [Obs.]
-- Light keeper, a person appointed to take care of a lighthouse or
light-ship. -- Light money, charges laid by government on shipping
entering a port, for the maintenance of lighthouses and light-ships. --
The light of the countenance, favor; kindness; smiles.
Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Ps. iv. 6.
-- Northern lights. See Aurora borealis, under Aurora. -- To bring to
light, to cause to be disclosed. -- To come to light, to be disclosed.
-- To see the light, to come into the light; hence, to come into the
world or into public notice; as, his book never saw the light. -- To
stand in one's own light, to take a position which is injurious to
one's own interest.
Light (lt), a. [AS. leóht. See Light, n.] [Compar. Lighter (-r);
superl. Lightest.] 1. Having light; not dark or obscure; bright; clear;
as, the apartment is light.
2. White or whitish; not intense or very marked; not of a deep shade;
moderately colored; as, a light color; a light brown; a light
complexion.
Light, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lighted (-d) or Lit (lt); p. pr. & vb. n.
Lighting.] [AS. lhtan, lhtan, to shine. √122. See Light, n.] 1.
To set fire to; to cause to burn; to set burning; to ignite; to kindle;
as, to light a candle or lamp; to light the gas; -- sometimes with up.
If a thousand candles be all lighted from one.
Hakewill.
And the largest lamp is lit.
Macaulay.
Absence might cure it, or a second mistress Light up another flame,
and put out this.
Addison.
2. To give light to; to illuminate; to fill with light; to spread over
with light; -- often with up.
Ah, hopeless, lasting flames ! like those that burn To light the
dead.
Pope.
One hundred years ago, to have lit this theater as brilliantly as
it is now lighted would have cost, I suppose, fifty pounds.
F. Harrison.
The sun has set, and Vesper, to supply His absent beams, has
lighted up the sky.
Dryden.
3. To attend or conduct with a light; to show the way to by means of a
light.
His bishops lead him forth, and light him on.
Landor.
To light a fire, to kindle the material of a fire.
Light, v. i. 1. To become ignited; to take fire; as, the match will not
light.
2. To be illuminated; to receive light; to brighten; -- with up; as,
the room lights up very well.
Light, a. [Compar. Lighter (-r); superl. Lightest.] [OE. light, liht,
AS. lht, leóht; akin to D. ligt, G. leicht, OHG. lhti, Icel. lttr, Dan.
let, Sw. lätt, Goth. leihts, and perh. to L. levis (cf. Levity), Gr.
'elachy`s small, Skr. laghu light. √125. ] 1. Having little, or
comparatively little, weight; not tending to the center of gravity with
force; not heavy.
These weights did not exert their natural gravity, . . . insomuch
that I could not guess which was light or heavy whilst I held them
in my hand.
Addison.
2. Not burdensome; easy to be lifted, borne, or carried by physical
strength; as, a light burden, or load.
Ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light.
Matt. xi. 29, 30.
3. Easy to be endured or performed; not severe; not difficult; as, a
light affliction or task. Chaucer.
Light sufferings give us leisure to complain.
Dryden.
4. Easy to be digested; not oppressive to the stomach; as, light food;
also, containing little nutriment.
5. Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons; as, light troops; a
troop of light horse.
6. Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence, active;
nimble; swift.
Unmarried men are best friends, best masters . . . but not always
best subjects, for they are light to run away.
Bacon.
7. Not heavily burdened; not deeply laden; not sufficiently ballasted;
as, the ship returned light.